Scotus’ Concept of the Will: A Theologico-Philosophical Discovery
Scotus understands the will as an active power in distinction from natures as active powers involving (natural) necessity. According to Scotus, there are two properties of the will: (1) spontaneity and (2) contingency. With regard to (1), the idea is that the will as an active power is an interior source essential to the self that allows for self-determination. With regard to (2), the idea is that things change-in other words, that which is, though existing now, did not have to be. Thus, the theory of the will as articulated by Scotus seems to have a kind of causality that does not involve strict necessity. Stated slightly differently, we might say that Scotus’ theory of the will attempts to make sense of spontaneous, contingent existence-something that many philosophers find incomprehensible or simply a contradictory notion. In light of what I have said above, it is interesting to note that the concept of the will was not found in the ancient philosophical tradition, but was something discovered much later. As Hannah Arendt argues, the concept of will did not simply appear but was discovered. According to Arendt, the concept was first clearly articulated by St. Paul, further expanded upon by St. Augustine, and then explicated in an exceptionally lucid manner by John Duns Scotus. Though I haven’t read Arendt’s work on this topic, I find her suggestion extremely plausible. Why? The main reason is that I do not find it coincidental that the concept of the will as articulated above comes from a Christian philosopher/theologian who affirms a God who freely creates (contra any form of necessitarianism). In other words, I do not think that Scotus would have (or could have) formulated his theory of the will had he been a non-Christian philosopher and not held a particular view (birthed from reflection on divine revelation) of the Christian God who freely creates out of love, not necessity.
N.b. I am a novice when it comes to Scotus, but I am taking a course this semester at the University of Dallas called ”Scotus on the will and morality.” Consequently, I plan to post fairly regularly on Scotus and the will.
10 Responses so far
7:25 pm
Any thoughts on the relationship of Scotus on the will to what Anselm suggested in his work on “Truth, Freedom, and Evil”?
8:13 am
Hi Joel,
I haven’t read Anselm’s work that you mentioned, so I have no idea. However, if the prof happens to discuss Anselm and Scotus on the will, I will send you my notes from class.
Best wishes,
Cynthia
4:50 pm
Hi Cynthia,
#2 is quite clear and I think you are correct, but I’m a little confused about #1. How are ’spontaneity’ and “self-determination’ related? I guess what I’m asking is for what term is ’spontaneity’ serving as a translation?
5:48 pm
Hi Lee,
My understanding (and it could be wrong–as I said, I am a novice when it comes to Scotus) with regard to (1) and “spontaneity” is that the will is self-acting, voluntary and determines itself and that at every moment it is free (and has the power) to will or to nill whatever it is currently willing or nilling. I think that the passage in mind is the following (but again, I could be mistaken)
“…an effect is not said to be potentially contingent unless its cause has the power to do the opposite. Neither, then, is an effect actually contingent, unless the cause actually causing it has the power to do the opposite at that very moment that it is causing the other…” (Questions on the Netaphysics IX, q. 15 [under Scotus' replies to the obejections to Aristotle raised in I], A. Wolter, Duns Scotus on the Will and Morality p. 147).
If I remember correctly from my course on Scotus’ metaphysics, this is a rough sketch of synchronic contingency.
Best wishes,
Cynthia
4:13 pm
Right. I just wasn’t sure if ’spontaneity’ was a direct translation of a particular technical term or not. But what you said makes sense.
5:04 pm
Dear Cynthia,
I’m enjoying your blog. I’m in your Dante/Milton class and Scotus class at University of Dallas.
I look forward to meeting you.
Sincerely,
Taylor Marshall
7:42 pm
Lee,
I hope that you continue to contribute to the Scotus posts throughout this semester, as I would greatly benefit from your input.
Best wishes,
Cynthia
7:44 pm
Hi Taylor,
I recently came across your blog as well and noticed that you are now at UD. Let’s talk more tomorrow in class, as I see that we have a lot in common.
Best wishes,
Cynthia
6:47 am
how can I tackle the metaphysiscs oo Dun Scotus.
7:10 am
Hi Sally,
My advice would be to get with a professor whose speciality is Scotus and take
a class with him/her or do an independent study with him/her.
Best wishes,
Cynthia
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